1979 Honda CT90 Budget Restoration | Back on the Road after 27 YEARS!

This 1979 Honda CT90 or Honda Trail 90 was last tagged in 1994, and judging by the rust popping out of the paint, dust, and grime, I believe this Honda mini bike has been sitting that long. The ignition comes and goes on this vintage Honda dual sport (we ordered the wrong coil in this video), but we still cleaned it up, replaced the tires and seat cover, and took it for a ride! The 90cc 4 speed engine (with high and low functions!) is fast! I managed to get this old dual sport up to 40mph in my back yard.
Thanks for Watching!
Facebook: goo.gl/VR6mh2
Instagram: bit.ly/3T8njaF
Go Power Sports: bit.ly/3QKyODE
Get $100 off any Langmuir Systems Crossfire CNC plasma table using this link, or use code CARSANDCAMERAS at checkout: store.langmuirsystems.com/disc...
Join the CarsandCameras Pit Crew: / @carsandcameras
Subscribe to our PODCAST channel: / @atthewheelwithcarsand...
NEW MERCH: www.cars-cameras.com/
Equipment we use: www.amazon.com/shop/carsandca...
The following video features activities performed in controlled environments by knowledgeable persons. DO NOT attempt to duplicate, re-create, or perform the same or similar activities at home, as personal injury or property damage may result. CARS AND CAMERAS, the persons shown in this video and ANY CONTRIBUTOR, ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY such injury or damage. ALL CARSANDCAMERAS CONTENT IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.
Cars and Cameras makes no representation about the sufficiency of any safety precautions and equipment used in this video.

[@CarsandCameras]

This might be my new favorite Honda! Are you a fan of the look?

[@BuildzFilmz]

These are our standard postie bikes for mail hahaha

[@johnnyrocket6588]

Most definitely

[@buster6911]

no complaint here looks great

[@levisylvester]

Yeeessss

[@Mini-z1994]

Yep, i believe i wrote about there being a new one in the works that's 125 cc ? Looks great that one too. Don't think Sweden had these for post delivery bikes though.

[@CrazyIvan1337]

I want to see you guys load it up with as many groceries as you can fit on it, and run the CnCGP as fast as you can without damaging anything! Every damaged item is a 1 second penalty, and the grocery runs get spots on the leaderboard!

[@dl1277]

Make this a thing lmao

[@Jasonsminiadventure]

Yes!

[@AshHalls]

Yes yes yes

[@patrickhardison9865]

My Uncle Bobby had a CT 90 just like that one when I was a kid, he would ride me and my two cousins on it . Man that sound takes me back so much, burnt my leg bad on that exhaust shield on time lol. Watching you guys take this old classic around the course nearly brought a tear to this 46 year olds eye. My uncle always made time for me on that cool old bike. He had one of those folding bleacher type seats fastened to that stainless rack behind the seat so we could ride with him on it. Thanks guys for bringing that fond memory of my uncle and my childhood back to me. My uncle passed away several years back of skin cancer so this sure made me smile thinking about the good times I had with him on that old CT 90 Honda. 🙂

[@FtanmoOfEtheirys]

17:27 bolt on the carburetor is loose and spinning when revved lol.

[@HoliTalksAboutStuff]

good eye man!

[@kingjeff3688]

Yep! I just commented that

[@Marco-qe5zw]

saw that too! hahaha

[@BaltaM4ster]

saw the same thing :D

[@leroysolo7066]

yep, might not need a coil after all.

[@davidowen888]

I remember back in the day, we had our Briggs and Stratton minibikes and the college kid down the street went bye with his Ct 90 and we all were in some envious awe 😮

[@matthewf1979]

Imagine being 16, owning one of these, living near the SoCal beaches and it being in the mid 90’s.

[@mr.stonerUDX714]

you were a douche bag if you were seen on one of these

[@jrea424]

And everyone laughed at you...

[@zachgrabow9541]

Got no clue why people shit on these, had a few and they're fun. Guys, everyone has stuff they like, what's the problem?

[@Buck1954]

@@jrea424 not true

[@Buck1954]

@@mr.stonerUDX714 not true

[@danmorrison7112]

I’m happy cuz your happy. The smiles for miles, is why we’re all still here.

[@j.w.3345]

Gotta love the old school pipe. We called them the "Calf Grill". I still have the scars!

[@cheshirepat30]

Ha! I got burned on a Honda 70 as a kid. I'll never forget it!

[@cubgsan]

Good day to you. I am a senior rider on HONDA Cross Cub from Japan. Enjoying touring ,camping and video uploading. This is so nice HONDA Cub video Awesome!! Thank you so much for sharing!! Have a nice day my friend!!

[@anesthetized7053]

peyton back at it with his signature american flag shorts. what a champ

[@jeremykc1977]

Had one 30+ years ago when I was a kid. Was so short I couldn't put my feet on ground and sit on it, so I had to jump up and take off at the same time. Great bike. Mine was yellow.

[@nooneson1]

The intern Tommy boy is great. Keep him with you. Classic

[@CrazyIvan1337]

I was gonna say off-brand Jack Black, but that works too. lmao

[@Codyjames83]

I grew up with a old old moped that thing was a blast

[@brandontedhams5006]

I just bought a yellow 64-66(?) CT90. These things are sweet little bikes. Love what you’ve done with this one

[@jeffreybarker691]

The smiles says it all.

[@hadleymanmusic]

I used to have a whole collection of popular science when I was a kid and I remember honda ads and articles all through the 60'? And a honda well maintained I do believe can last forever and thats what I think got them where they are.

[@EverydayLayman]

When I was younger my dad had me steel wool the steelies on his super beetle. Works great.

[@jstephenallington8431]

I had a hoot with a Vespa My Dad brought home back in the early 70's. I rode that thing to death! It was fantastic fun.

[@montyhutchens4088]

So funny to see those come full circle over the years. Grocery Getter to Liquor Sickle now Fun Vintage Machine.🤣👍👍

[@GearHeadWW23]

0000 steel wool and wd-40, best rust remover I've found on the fly.

[@CrazyIvan1337]

Yes! Glass cleaner works well, too! Cleans and shines at the same time, just wipe it away when you're done, and hit it with a lick of chrome polish!

[@GearHeadWW23]

@@CrazyIvan1337 I'll have to try that, ty

[@ZedJ2xU]

@@CrazyIvan1337 Spray on pure ammonia and let it sit for a bit, then scrub it off. The Vapors break down grease and dissolve rust.

[@billwilliamson9842]

@@ZedJ2xU tin foil works great too. just loosely ball it up and scrub, then open and re ball etc

[@jacko377]

Having changed points on old cars about a hundred times or more, I found it hard to watch Isaac set the gap on this little Honda.

[@albertpeterson7134]

Jon- Ike The Honda Trail 90 Is One Of My Favorite Bikes. Iam 64 I Bought It Brand New In 1971 I Was 15 Lots Of Good Memories. Have Fun With It

[@davekauffman8727]

I like Peyton, he's a great guy.I think it's the idle circuit in the carb, not the coil, because it only bogs down trying to snap to wide open throttle quickly. It will clean itself out the more you ride it as gas goes through it more. God bless you guys!

[@brianhardy6084]

The loose bolt holding the carb on probably doesn’t help much either

[@goose278]

Those bikes need the complete stock air filter to work properly. They are great!

[@theoldfartschannel3692]

I had a Honda S90 when I was a kid in the early 70's. Great little bikes. Kudos for saving one from the scrap yard.

[@SleezyMcZeelius]

Finally got my 73 running again yesterday so glad I’m able to ride it again

[@StansWorld]

was the first motorcycle i even ridden alone.. So Kool...

[@skydiver6711]

I have a 2020 Honda CRF 250 and a 1981 Honda Trail 110. If I want to do some serious off road riding, I get out the 250 and it is great. But If I want to just have nothing but fun, it is the 110 that puts a smile on my face. I ride it around town (Ft. Worth) and get all the looks in the world. I take it to Wal Mart and when I come back to the bike there is usually 3 -4 men standing around looking at it. It is just fun by the hand full.

[@greghopewell7428]

It needs to have a battery to be able to regulate the voltage to the coil. It uses a rectifier but it uses the battery as the voltage regulator. Weird I know but that's how it works

[@potrzebieneuman4702]

Yep they use a selenium rectifier.

[@simosklonari3394]

A full battery

[@johnbrentonlll]

Is it a 6 volt or 12v

[@frisky7049]

@@johnbrentonlll 6 volt I’m in the process of getting my 72 ct90 going

[@donovanguy4763]

Every time Ike starts talking and rambling about why he thinks something is going to be how it's gonna be, and he says "Thank you GoPowerSports" it reminds me of Talladega Nights when Ricky is saying grace and thanks Poweraid. 🤣🤣🤣

[@onpointengravingandlaser24]

I remember the c90 days being a young lad ripping through the woods smashing parts of the big white fairing on the tree stumps at 40mph on slick road tyres I had more fun on them bikes than anything else good days amazing bikes 🏍

[@geegrafix]

You need a battery on these trail 90s or they don't run right! Been there done that! Went through this whole thing like you guys and found out you need battery! I was also able to cheat it by substituting a huge capacitor in place of battery, but you can't have lights, or brake lights on or engine can cut off.

[@PaulHarkey44]

Yes sir. Same here. I have the 73 model and, from what I’ve learned, the battery acts as sort of the voltage regulator. Otherwise, you’ll blow lights left and right.

[@House-O-Klimax]

I mentioned this in the last video as well. One of the weird ones that just don't work right without a battery

[@PaulHarkey44]

@@House-O-Klimax Also, it’s a lot harder to tune without that full stock airbox unit...if you’re gonna keep it stock.

[@jordanthurber6998]

The ground bolt that attaches the battery cage as well is a big problem. Battery and Ground. Then boom she will work.

[@losebjughashvili8465]

I can attest to that….battery is a must.

[@16driver16]

You should join the Facebook group, most of us buy one, then soon we've got 6 or more of them.

[@PeterEmery]

My father had a 1976 CT 90. It had two hand brake levers, the front brake was operated by the right lever & the rear brake by both the right side pedal & the left hand lever. The seat cover was also perished, so he replaced it with a plastic chicken-feed bag. The farm was all hills, the bike was prone to falling over and the alloy brake levers would snap off at their bases. To prevent this, the outward-curling section of both brake levers were cut off.

[@kaisparsons5300]

Love the old school posty look

[@douglasgault5458]

Loved those trail 90s. I must have put over 15K+ miles a year on mine. At 14 in Nevada you could get your license for a 50cc permit. But it was fine, we always ran around on the 90s. Those racks are excellent for making beer runs. I was always carrying 3-6 cases on a run. I was the lucky one they always served me from 15yrs on. I do belive I got to know every police officer in town. We were on a first name basis in our relationship. Until I was forced to choose one out of five branches by a judge in late 71.

[@darrenjackson6207]

You know what .......I really like you guys, your always smiling and you guys seem like true friends.....ps......I don't know if you guys do this intentionally or not but thank you for not cursing....God bless you both ...

[@Tonycunningham28]

This is crazy I just got a CT 90 myself thats been sitting in a garage for the past 25 years. Its in near mint condition too except its missing the carburetor. Thanks for the video & the pointers this will come in handy for when I get the time to work on mine.

[@ghomerhust]

haha peytons shirt "truck rice" has me giggling a little too much

[@bobsbarnworkshop]

Fine steel wool and COMET powder polishes chrome like new! And use some soapy water mounting and dismounting tires

[@richgallegos5807]

Two things: those tires are what used to pass for "Dual Purpose" or "Enduro" style... they were good for neither on road or off. The second thing? That "Nascar" thank you speech by Isaac was perfect! Really good episode guys!

[@jurdy93]

Hi guys have 2 ct90's they run like this if they dont have a battery in them cause they don't supply enough amps at low idle for the coil hope this helps They are a 6v system by the way.

[@MikecraftAnimations]

I just bought one literally 3 days after their first video on this bike, and had the same thought. I checked out some of the forums to make sure it wasn’t just that my charging system was low on power or something.

[@williamstamper442]

Are they really 6v systems? I have zero experience with these and had no idea

[@williamstamper442]

That's like my 1950 Ford with a flathead V8 and 6v system. A 12v jump pack won't hurt it tho

[@MikecraftAnimations]

@@williamstamper442 Yah, they are a 6-volt system. Putting a 12-volt charger on a stock CT90 battery will fry it completely.

[@jurdy93]

Yeah 6v system I have converted mine to 12v with led bulbs works well

[@RooTBeeRthe1st]

Heck yeah, "delivery boy time trials"!

[@billwilliamson9842]

real life "paperboy" video game lol

[@NTromb]

Pro tip for our old school vehicles with the chrome front bumper and rear bumper and just chrome anywhere or even chrome wheels you use a SOS pad and it brings them back to almost new

[@ISuperfan]

your intern's camera work is a study as a drunk sailor on a rolling deck.

[@Legoman585]

Payton (hope I spelled it right) is a good addition to your channel guys

[@dirtcopdualsport]

I should be working but here I am watching more CT90 restorations.

[@coinstipatedtexan83]

I can definitely see John earning extra money delivering groceries and fast food on that scooter

[@handyhippie6548]

i still can't get over how complete and original this bike was, considering the age it has. it's like a 40 year old virgin.

[@Falney]

Damnit. I want swiss roll now.

[@radoncave69]

That brings back so many memories of my Granpa’s mo ped he had when I was little kid!!!!👍🏼

[@jaygorveatte7955]

Big fan of the trail 90. Old enough to remember when they were new. Had a 1966 I restored for my 50th b-day . Then got a two 79's to build one which I'll likely keep long term. . Let the 66 go to get an express, another bike I remembered from back in the day. Also have a keystone mini bike resto mod underway and one you've not likely seen as it's Canadian an SE Woods minibike. Hopefully once the borders open up we can get back to visit our friends at the Windber PA minibike reunion. All the best from Nova Scotia Canada.

[@christophermorin9036]

"You feel 10 times better with the baskets on! You're like a Pizza Boy on a MISSION!" My MAN lol! I will definitely be looking for one of these things when I'm finally able to drive lol!

[@SovereignKnight74]

We use to own a pair of 1977 models and they look exactly like your 1979. A pair of them for only $450.00 back in the 90's. They didn't run initially. We brought them back to life. These bikes are a blast! Automatic transmission, a High and Low transfer case that really does work wonders... My father use to use one of these for deer hunting. Very quiet. Slap the deer on the back and take off! The little reserve gas tank cantina was also pretty cool. It used a 6 volt lead acid battery. Sadly the 1980 models removed the high /low transfer case. Then there was the CT 110 replacement. If I recall they did not have the high/low transfer case. Why Honda doesn't bring these back is a wonder to me.

[@syco133]

These and the ATC70’s are my favorite Honda’s ever.

[@helmesnick79]

Box of beer in each side without breaking any challenge through the grandprix. The wheels you got look like what I had on my 81 Honda c70 passport

[@arthursmith5409]

Green pad and comet powder is my rust remover. When I used to find old bikes in the woods and tear em down for painting and chrome clean up. Not to be too janky but I've taken LS v-8 coils and hooked them up to my bikes and riding mowers. Its a power wire, ground wire and trigger wire, which goes to the points, easy peasy. Bonus: strong spark and no burnt out points.

[@kennethdispain1807]

I had one of those when I was a kid it was awesome

[@Mightiflier]

Had one when I was 14; that was in 1971. Had 8 gears, 4 in high and 4 in low. Would climb any mountain road with two people in low, but would only go about 10mph. Driving 45mph on the road was really pushing it. Auto clutch, brought several bagged deer back from hunts in the Texas Hill country on the rack in the back. Glad to see this restore.

[@layback209fixorsmash3]

Haha, classic fun. First bike I road 20yrs ago. Bigger is better lol, you can see that on your faces. Now your entering into vintage motocross dualsport stuff. Lots of fun. I'd like to see you tune up a 1970s ts185, 2 smoke street legal fun. They are almost as classic / timeless as the Honda trails and are still a mini bike in my mind (sub 200cc).

[@buddha4386]

Ike already reminds me of will ferrell... his thanking of the sponsors was straight Ricky Bobby lol

[@spankyjeffro5320]

These bikes are still used today in Aus by the Postal Service. Great bikes. Super reliable, super comfy, ride anywhere kind of bike. I wanna get one of these for my first bike and fix her up. :)

[@Alfred..E..Neuman]

The bearded dude came a long way since I seen him last, he now knows how to wrench, side ways! 👌👍🔧

[@simonhathorn1928]

Hey guys simmo here from AUSTRALIA, yes the handle bars twist on the HONDA CT for storage, I've had 3 of these bikes.😆👍

[@robbieshroads9491]

I love watching your videos

[@gradybrowning3976]

I love the bike too!!!👍

[@radracer2033]

Cause of the last video you guys did I went out and bought myself an '84 Trail 110 I'm currently fixing up! Should go well with my '83 z50r, '74 XL70, and '84 ATC 200es

[@jacobhornberger8073]

I got my uncle’s 1983 xl200 to run. It’s a lot of fun to work in older bikes and atvs! Have fun!!!

[@jamesbarnhart3642]

I’ve always been interested in trail 90s since I drove my friends dad’s childhood trail 70 and this series set me over the edge, I need to find one before they get all pricey

[@radracer2033]

@@jamesbarnhart3642 Too late, they're all really expensive lol

[@stevenbarrett9634]

Iv got a 1966 ct 200 trail 90, I love it it’s a blast!

[@hunter100t]

Honda are famous for their reliable engines and these types just go and go. you could put a couple of bowls of trifle {that you make yourself} in the baskets, go for a spin then both eat them or whats left of them at the end. keep at it guys, great stuff !

[@johng6673]

Personally, I would say pizza, maybe some Pepsi with the pizza, and snacks and beer for the chill.

[@guzzidude7410]

He's got it! Yeah baby he's got it! He's got your cars He's got your cameras All you desire

[@ledaohio]

The Carb BOLT was spinning loose when you rev'd it and could be part of the prob.

[@Tommysmess]

It's the rectifier! I had one of these bikes but it was a 1970. Ran amazing after that

[@gremlin3362]

I keep seeing these tracks for go carts on my KZbin ads. Would love to see you guys run a set

[@christhut8140]

I went to highschool in a rural part of Connecticut and had a 1972 z50 that id ride around town, in the farm fields and around the local reservoir. Was good times. I ended up trying to put an 88 kit on it with a big cam and never got it running right again. U guys are really inspiring me to get it out of storage and mess around with it again!

[@waynerowlinson6177]

I hit like in the first minute of the video. I normally watch until the end, but this channel is great, and the CT90 is one of the coolest things to ever roll.

[@Briancox1981]

Challenge - see if it can be a one man gig machine - carry a guitar, an amp, and all cables and accessories needed to play a gig on the back.

[@lindsey349]

I posted the first time you had that bike out, them ct 90,s have to have a good battery to run right

[@dgibbsfl]

I had one while in collerge in New Orleans and I rode it everywhere even on some of the highways. An amazing piece of gear. I will never forget those days running around on that machine.

[@ThaVoodoo1]

That bike was used in Australia, by Australia Post for decades delivering mail.

[@PeterEmery]

Not quite right. The postie bikes didn’t have the high/low range auxiliary gears. They were high range only & most had 110cc engines. At the time they were the best-selling motorbikes in the country because of the number bought by Australia Post.

[@jeffm8262]

Thanks for posting updates on the CT90. I'm a fan of the bike. Please keep the content coming... Thank you.

[@anglegrinder4630]

Those kind of work has been my calling

[@ravyyyyyyy]

I've always loved seeing the wee Honda 90's, they were very popular here in Ireland in the past, and have a great following today although the prices have skyrocketed. After seeing this I think it's time to bite the bullet and buy one before they become unattainable, the big grins on your lads faces says it all! Also I think the intern is a great addition to the show, he fits right in with you guys!

[@chicomaxima1]

The throttle body bolt or nut is spinning when he is revving the engine 17:30 time

[@TSGEnt]

I rode one of those new back in the day. It is a great vehicle. Gets you where you want to go for sure.

[@bryduhbikeguy]

I have the shorter,height wise,version of those baskets on my motorized bike and use it for shopping all the time.Most of the time they're closed and I strap my backpack over them.That is the first motorcycle I rode,and I've wanted 1 since.That bike would've been brand new then.

[@forcedinduction5245]

A little tip for you. When setting points gap you set them to the largest recommend gap. This because as they wear they get a tighter gap. When setting spark plugs, you set those to the highest recommend gap because they will increase gap sizing as they wear. Oh also I had a CT 110. And it would FLY !!!

[@joshvandruff1790]

It’s amazing what a little cleaning and polishing can do to change a bike.

[@mistermacgray]

The air filter box is made to help it pull fuel and without it, doesn't draw fuel as it should. Sounds great.

[@geeksgamesandgears2369]

Another cool trick for polishing chrome is using aluminum foil and water. You essentially wet sand it and most rust other than pits will come off.

[@adamjohnson9656]

THE INTERN SENDER!!! its a cool ride.the side baskets make it.

[@_zzpza]

I wasn't sure about the apprentice until 22:00. Now I think he'll fit in with the channel fine.

[@theguy497]

ike needs a wonder bread race suit so he can go full ricky bobby

[@rocket625]

So I just went out and bought a CT 90 thanks again now I can rebuild mine ha ha ha ha

[@RealSuburbanCowboy]

Soap and water always when taking tires off, and putting them on. Helps so much. LOVE THE CHANNEL!!! Ooooh, Super important, you must put a few drops of oil on that piece of felt that came with the new points. If you don't have that, it will wear out the point right away. If you run it too long without the lube felt, it can eat into the points cam. Isaac, so much better without the beard!! John, don't shift it so hard. It will mess up the shift forks. It should shift with very little effort.

[@jasoncsullog3741]

That picture of Payton (sp? LOL) was the best! That should be on a limited edition coffee mug or something. I'd buy one.

[@isawthiswithmyowneyes]

My uncle rode one of these rigs 2000 kilometres into the Australian outback... and back again. Solo.

[@hankburton2043]

Was that Rosso

[@isawthiswithmyowneyes]

@@hankburton2043 the one and only.

[@teebuck394]

I love the work y’all did on the go kart with the bmw engine you guys really worked hard on that man I can’t wait for the next bild

[@JJ--CAR]

Ya know people seem to be giving Peyton a hard time. The kid seems like a good kid and if he is good enough for John and Ike...then hes good enough for me. Keep doing you Peyton.

[@dawgfan-fe2sj]

Great info guys! Always a great job gentlemen! Thank you.

[@coryhawkins967]

It goes back to that bikes roots, gotta do a beer run.